NEW YORK – Columbia field hockey head coach Marybeth Freeman has announced a six-member class of incoming student-athletes for the upcoming 2014 season. The Lions will welcome Whitney Hartstone, Rebecca Pope, Maeve Doherty, Lauren Crane, Michelle Thompson and Jennifer Harchut to the squad when training camp commences in August.

Hartstone was a four-year starter at Lincoln Sudbury Regional, where she posted 38 goals and 30 assists in her career. Named a team captain prior to last season, Hartstone earned a number of athletic and academic accolades in 2013. She was named to the Harrow Sports/NFHCA High School All-Region Team, the Boston Herald All-Scholastics Team and the MetroWest Daily News All-Stars Super Team. In the classroom, she received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Award and was named a Gladiator by SGI/NFHCA High School National Academic Squad member.

Additionally in the classroom, Hartstone was a four-time Scholar at Lincoln Sudbury. She also competed at the 2012 Junior Olympics and the National Futures Championship in 2012 and 2013.

Why Hartstone chose Columbia: "I chose Columbia because of the rigorous academics, the competitive athletics and the endless opportunities that New York City has to offer. After my first visit to the campus, I knew that there was no other school for me than Columbia.”

Freeman on Hartstone:“Whitney is an attacking midfielder who will be a valuable asset in generating our team’s offense. She transitions well on both sides of the ball and is comfortable in pressure situations. Her explosiveness and creativity with the ball will be difficult for defenders to control given her speed and strong technical skills.”

Pope will make the journey to Columbia after gaining valuable experience playing with her Provincial Team and the South African National Team at various levels. Last season, she was named team captain of her U18 Provincial team and was selected for the U18A National Team while also seeing action with the Senior Ladies and U21 Provinicial tournaments. Previously, Pope was selected for the U17 and U18B National teams, the U21 National Squad and Senior Ladies provincial team in 2011. In 2012, she moved to the U18 Provincial team and was tabbed for the U18B National Team.

Off the field, Pope earned the Service, Leadership and Contribution Award. She gained five distinctions in final school exams in English, Biology, Accounting, Mathematics and Life Orientation and received “A” grade aggregates in all final school exams.

Why Pope chose Columbia:“Columbia is a bubble of opportunity just waiting to be taken. This school provides students the necessary skills to excel in their field of study, as well as in life. The success of each individual, academically and athletically, is not only due to their work but also due to the extremely positive atmosphere of the university and the excellence that surrounds them each day. As an international student, I will also be able to experience new cultures and many different lifestyles, which will only enrich me as a human being.”

Freeman on Pope:“Rebecca brings a wealth of hockey experience to Columbia University. The skill sets Rebecca has will work well with concepts and style of play we want to implement in 2014. As a confident defensive presence, Rebecca’s leadership will be valued within the team and her technical skills will help challenge her teammates daily.”

Doherty comes from a successful high school program at Severna Park where she won a pair of Maryland Class 4A State Championships (2011 and 2013) and three Regional titles (2010, 2011, 2013). A team captain in 2013, Doherty was an NFHCA All-America second teamer, NFHCA All-Mid-Atlantic Region first team selection and was named All-Metro Player of the Year by the Washington Post. The two-time all-state first team member, also played at the AAU Junior Olympics in 2011 and 2012 and participated at the Futures Elite Academy from 2011-14 and the Futures Elite Championships in 2013. Doherty also competed with the U19 National Indoor Field Hockey Team from 2012-14 where she played on the squad’s tours of Germany and Argentina in 2013 and in the Pan-American Cup this past April.

Doherty also maintained a strong academic resume as she was recognized as Maryland’s Top Scholar Athlete and the Minds in Motion Award all four years of high school. An honor student and a member of the National Honor Society, Doherty served as Saverna Park’s yearbook editor and was named editor-in-chief in both 2013 and 2014.

Why Doherty chose Columbia:“The abundant opportunities. There are just so many things to do, so many places to see, and so many new interesting people to meet. I also love New York City and I really love how Columbia interacts with the city - you may not feel like you are in NYC when you're on campus but as soon as you step off, you can do anything. The challenging academic environment was also very enticing and to receive an education from one of the top schools in the world is an amazing opportunity. I am so thankful I get to play the sport I love at a school I love.”

Freeman on Doherty:“Maeve comes from one of the best high school programs in country and has competed and excelled at the highest levels. As a member of the USA National Indoor Field Hockey team, Maeve has experienced playing against some of the best opponents in the world and as a backfield player, has been able to perform under tremendous pressure. We’re looking forward to her contributions on the field.”

Fresh off of four divisional championships with Bernards High School, Crane will make the trek across the Hudson to join Columbia. Crane was named first team all-county and to the All-North Jersey Coaches first team in 2013. The two-time all-division member was selected to compete at the North Jersey Senior All-Star Game and participated at the National Futures Championship in 2012 and 2013.

Crane was an AP Scholar with honors, a member of the National Honor Society, a high honor roll student and a National Merit semifinalist.

Why Crane chose Columbia:“I chose Columbia because it offers the opportunity to balance rigorous academics with competitive athletics. The City has intrigued me for many years, and the opportunity to live there throughout college made my decision even easier. I am thrilled to be a part of an established team and representing the Lions.”

Freeman on Crane:“Lauren does a great job in building her team’s attack while making solid open field tackles. Her possession skills, vision prior to her receiving and balance will put her team in position to be successful in the front field.”

Thompson was a first team Wyoming Valley Conference and second team all-state selection in 2013 with Dallas Senior High School. She combats those accolades by playing against the nation’s best with her club team the WC Eagles, who have won the Disney Showcase three times, a National Club Championship in 2013, the Festival Pool in 2011 and the National Futures Championship in 2012. Thompson also picked up a pair of district medals with the track & field squad at Dallas, running the 4x800 relay.

Thompson will graduate with a 99.8 average, good enough to rank sixth among her class and has received honors with Distinction. She is a member of the National Honor Society and received the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Award as well as the Dallas High School Science Department Award.

Why Thompson chose Columbia:“I chose Columbia due to a combination of academic and athletic reasons. Academically, Columbia has a strong core curriculum. The engineering program provides a lot of hands on learning, and there is plenty of research opportunity. I also love that Columbia is in a city as diverse and unique as New York City. I wanted to play field hockey at Columbia because the Columbia field hockey team is a strong, dynamic program with a fantastic coaching staff.”

Freeman on Thompson:“Michelle plays for the top club program in the country and has a tremendous amount of experience competing against quality competition. She has quick hands, a high hockey IQ and sees the field well. Her communicative and responsive approach to hockey will make her an exciting addition in 2014.”

Harchut is a three-time all-league first team selection, two-time team MVP at Upper Dublin High School and was first team all-state in 2012. With her club team, Mystyx, she won a gold medal at the National Futures Championship and played U19 at Festival in 2011 and 2012.

Harchut was an active member of the Student Government Association, serving as vice president in 2013. She is in the National Honor Society, a four-year honor roll student and tabbed academic all-state.

Why Harchut chose Columbia:“I chose Columbia because it provided me the opportunity to learn and play field hockey at the greatest academic institution in the greatest city in the world.”

Freeman on Harchut:“Jen’s strength and use of her body to protect the ball while on the move are what make her a threat. She moves well on angles, is advanced in her passing ability and is aggressive in applying pressure. She is a communicator, a leader and someone who wants to continue to challenge herself on the field and in the classroom.“